Russell Don Boaz

Teacher Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series that draws on the rich experience and expertise of teachers from all around the world. Join us as we celebrate their tireless work and share everything from their motivations and inspirations to their career-honed wisdom and insights.

Today we’re spotlighting Russell Boaz, an American-born early years educator currently based in Hong Kong. Read on as he reflects on his own teaching journey, and why Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is more than just a TV show for him.

1. Hi Russell, great to chat to you today! To begin with, we’d love to learn more about who inspired you to begin teaching?

Two people inspired me to teach. The first was my mother. She was a daycare teacher and when I was little, I would go with her to work. The other was Fred Rogers, a US children's television entertainer. As I grew up, he played a fundamental role in my life. It was as a child that I first became interested in his show, and it was as a teacher that I discovered him again. As I watched his show again, I began to understand the motivation behind his decisions. He was the pioneer of emotional literacy for children before it was even a concept. I base a lot of my practices on his teachings and philosophies.

2. What are some characteristics that you believe every teacher should have?

Educators need to develop a growth mindset, continue to learn, and develop their skills. In the same way that we want children to be life-long learners, we as educators should strive to do the same. Even in the most stressful situations, a teacher needs patience and the ability to remain calm. As educators, we should also be curious, learning along with the children rather than simply regurgitating information for them to memorize.

3. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part is being able to connect not only with children but with the parents and caregivers who are raising them. Without these connections, how can one educate children and adults about the development of their children?

4. What is the most challenging part about being a teacher?

We need to break down generational ways of thinking about how children should learn, such as flash cards and repeating the same questions over and over again.

5. Could you share some teaching tips that you live by?

There is one teaching tip I live by: treat all children as if they were honored guests in your home. No matter how young or old they are, each and every child should be respected and feel respected. In the event that a child is scared or upset, their feelings should be acknowledged and validated, rather than being told, “You're fine, stop crying!" When picking them up, they should be told beforehand that they will be lifted. The little things you do like this will help you connect even more with children.

6. What education trend are you most excited about? Why?

If I’m to be perfectly honest, I would say no. I think there should be less focus on exams and gaining results by being able to recall information and more focus on teaching children to be resilient, adaptable, and self-assured to enable them to cope with the ever-changing environment and society we live in.

7. What is the one thing you wish you had known on your first day of teaching?

Patience and remaining calm are critical to teaching early childhood education. Oh, and you also don’t have to make silly voices or perform party tricks to connect with a child.

8. What is the greatest challenge facing teachers today?

Reforming teaching practices and reshaping the ways we think children learn best by breaking generational trends. Changing stakeholders' minds is also difficult, especially when academic results are the focus.

9. How do you encourage parents to support their children’s education at home?

I encourage them to be present as much as possible, to put down their phones and connect with them whether at the dinner table or out and about. The importance of that connection for young children cannot be overstated. Also, to have the mindset that their child is not "naughty," but is learning about the world around them and requires scaffolding.

10. What is something you wish your students knew about you?

I wish my students knew how proud I am of who they are right now, each and every one of them. They are all unique and special in their own way, and I appreciate each and every one of them.

We are grateful to Russell for sharing his experiences as a teacher with us. If you are interested in connecting with Russell, please visit his LinkedIn profile.

Want to be featured?

We all have teachers that have helped inspire, guide, and shape us throughout our educational career. If you’d like to nominate a colleague to be featured in a future Teacher Spotlight, simply email team@teachup.org with the subject line ‘Teacher Spotlight’. You can also nominate yourself! In your email, please include a brief introduction to the nominated teacher, as well as a topic that you’d like to focus on.